The new Steins in Cupertino offers multiple dining venues, including
outdoor patios and indoor area that feel like you're still outdoors, thanks
to a giant living wall. (Photo courtesy of Lynna Nguyen)

Steins Cupertino

Steins Beer Garden in Mountain View and Cupertino pair beer-friendly foods with a wide array of craft beer on tap.

The flower-adorned Duchess Cocktail on Oakland's Duchess craft cocktail
menu is made with gin and peach liqueur. (Photo: Duchess)

The Teleferic Sangria is a signature sip at the Walnut Creek tapas bar.

Yuri Chauca

The signature Teleferic Sangria at Teleferic Barcelona in Walnut Creek is made with Burgundy or pinot noir, brandy, gin, berries, cinnamon and mint and is paired with smoked salmon and mascarpone tapas.

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It’s early August, which means that the next two months will bring the Bay Area its best weather of the year. While those wild temperature swings are still a daytime reality — blustery cold by the bay, sizzling hot inland — the nights turn pleasantly warm and perfect for outdoor dining and sipping.

These are some of our favorite new alfresco spots, with glorious patios, rooftops and even indoor spaces designed to feel like the outdoors. Bring a light jacket, just in case. You’ll probably stay awhile.

1 True Food Kitchen, Walnut Creek

If you’re craving healthful food packed with flavor, this casual yet contemporary eatery is one of your best bets. The menu — yes, it includes good-for-you cocktails and desserts — is based on the anti-inflammatory diet developed by health guru Andrew Weil and restaurateur Sam Fox, and we’re lucky to have two Bay Area locations. Just as enticing: both patio and indoor space are bright, airy and earthy-chic.

The patio: A sidewalk patio offers 16 tables perfect for people-watching in Walnut Creek’s bustling Broadway Plaza. Heat lamps are set up for those cooler nights. And the color scheme features impossibly cheery green and yellow tables and chairs. But honestly, with its high ceilings, spinach-hued banquettes and framed images of herbs and flowers, True Food Kitchen is just as pleasant and nature-inspired on the inside.

The dish: Portions are on the smaller side — price tags are not — but for our money, the Ancient Grains bowl ($16) is a fab choice. It features chewy quinoa, farro and brown rice with charred onion, avocado, grilled portobello mushrooms, crisp snow peas and miso-glazed potato, all laced with turmeric. Sip a rum-based Watermelon Mojito ($12) while it’s still in season, or go for an alcohol-free Honey Lemonade ($4), made with matcha and cucumber.

2 Steins Beer Garden & Restaurant, Cupertino

European beer hall meets California flair at Steins. Steins Cupertino

Like its sister restaurant in Mountain View, the new Steins in Cupertino is modeled after the classic beer halls of Europe. It’s more than 6,000 square feet of reclaimed wood and beer-friendly grub, including upscale burgers and housemade sausages, fresh salads and seafood. On tap, an impressive selection of 30 craft and imported beers, including 10 seasonals.

The patio: This attractive patio along North Wolfe Road is nearly 1,600 square feet with plenty of wood tables, chic metallic chairs, heat lamps and upturned barrels to rest a stein upon. It’s also very popular. But don’t fret if you have to sit inside. The stunning living wall is so green and massive, you’ll feel like you’re inside a garden fortress.

The dish: People go nuts for the Mac & Cheese ($12) and Chicken Strips ($14) with House Hot Sauces, but we recommend the Grilled Sausage Plate ($16), which comes with a pork sausage and a beef and cheddar one, plus potato salad and thin slices of grilled country white bread. Trust us: Ask for a side of the thick pub cheese to slather on the bread.

3 LiMA, Concord

Diners enjoy the outdoor patio at LiMA Peruvian restaurant in Concord. Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group

Traditional Peruvian dishes are the stars of John Marquez’s contemporary yet casual restaurant in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza. The simple black leather banquettes and shiny wooden tables allow the avocado-hued walls to pop — almost as much as the bright, authentic flavors of ceviche, causa and Pisco.

The patio: With its overgrown greenery, red umbrellas and overhead arches, LiMA’s narrow patio is super tranquil. There are plenty of wooden four-top tables with trendy metallic chairs and heat lamps for fall, when the weather cools.

The dish: Lomo Saltado ($21) all the way. Add a fried egg ($3) to this stand-out dish and consider it shareable. The juicy beef tenderloin is sauteed and served with onions, tomato wedges, garlic and fries in a rich soy demi-glaze. Looking to go lighter? Get the Ceviche Limeno ($16), with fresh fish of the day marinated in lip-smacking citrus juices with sweet potato, sliced red onion, cilantro, corn and seaweed.

Located adjacent to Anthropologie & Co, this chic restaurant is part of the URBN portfolio that includes Terrain, a home decor and garden shop inside Anthropologie. That brand of rustic American indoor-outdoor elegance extends to the menu, which is farm-to-table and on the pricey side.

The patio: This 40-seater is open year-round and looks out onto busy Stanford Shopping Center and its parking lot. But the real view is inside. Terrain Cafe’s dining room, which is so green and pretty it elevates the notion of a garden cafe. In addition to reclaimed barn-wood floors and bright plant centerpieces, there’s a massive antique floral chandelier detailed with bark. Plus, the house-baked brioche comes in terra-cotta planters.

The dish: Light fare such as salads, build-your-own farm boards and spritzers are ideal. Try the Terrain Garden Salad ($12) with grilled apricots, snap peas and Napa slaw. Get an order of the Pistachio Hummus ($8) with za’atar crackers, too. It provides the perfect rich complement to the baby greens. Thirsty? Pick from 10 housemade fruit spritzers ($4), or mix and match flavors. Pear Lime, anyone?

5 Danville Harvest, Danville

This farm-to-table spot formerly known as Farmer’s Almanac — trademark issues prompted the name change, but the owners and staff are exactly as they were when this charmer opened last summer — delivers on every front. It’s stylish and modern, with sensational food created by Florida-born chef Tim Humphrey.

The patio: When the evenings are warm, this is the place to be, with market umbrellas and outdoor tables set atop a crushed rock patio.

The dish: Everything here is delicious, but the starters — Scallion Hushpuppies ($8), for example, and the DiStefano’s Burrata Toast ($12), served with brioche, country ham and lemony seasonal vegetables — are simply irresistible, especially with a glass of cava or brut rosé. And if you skip the entrees in favor of an Heirloom Tomato Salad ($8) or Little Gems ($9) with grilled asparagus and green goddess dressing, all those virtuous vegetables will balance out the second order of burrata. Just saying.

The patio: The quiet courtyard holds an expansive patio with huge umbrellas to provide shade for tables and stylish seating.

The dish: It’s tough to choose just one from among the half-dozen pizzas that line the menu — order an aperitivo while you mull the options. Word to the wise: The memorable Hot Sweet Hot ($18) pizza combines housemade n’duja — a spreadable, spicy salumi — with fresh pears, molten mozzarella and smoked scamorza. N’duja makes an encore performance on the brunch menu, too, spread on bruschetta ($18) and topped with two sunny-side-up eggs.

7 Teleferic Barcelona, Walnut Creek

The Padrosa family knows what they’re doing when it comes to tapas. They already had two flourishing restaurants in Spain when they opened this tapas bar in downtown Walnut Creek, turning the second floor of this stylish brick building into a colorful hot spot, complete with tiny cable cars that scoot across the ceiling and a menu of irresistible small plates.

The patio: A shaded, protected terrace offers alfresco dining — and the colorful, tiled bar will keep you well supplied in the sangria and cocktail department.

The dish: When in Spain — or Walnut Creek — order the Catalan gin and tonic ($13), served Barcelona style in a goblet with grapefruit, juniper berries and rosemary. It’s brilliant with the bright, garlicky prawns of the Gambas al Ajillo ($15) and the Paella ($14) with prawns, clams, pork and chicken, which is served from a giant pan. Just make sure you save room for the Churros con Chocolate ($8).

8 Duchess, Oakland

Oakland’s breezy, bayside location means most outdoor dining comes with a side of cardigan — or down jacket. It can get chilly out there! But Duchess, the small Rockridge bistro that opened in December, offers a promising compromise, with an intimate dining room and a just-opened patio — plus a new chef, Social Kitchen’s Andrew Greene, doing seasonal fare that pairs with cocktails by Luis Ramos, of Bourbon and Branch.

The patio: Sidewalk seating makes for good people-watching, and if it gets cold, you can always relocate to the cozy dining room.

The dish: We are smitten with Duchess’ Fried Chicken ($11), a starter-size bowl of small, crisp, irresistible bites of chicken tossed in a tangy, sweet sauce and garnished with scallions and pickled cucumber. Pair it with a mezcal, gin- and strawberry-based Garden Warfare or a flower-adorned gin and peach Duchess cocktail ($12). The platter of Roasted Vegetables ($20), maitake, asparagus, carrots and sun gold tomato with a scallion yogurt, is not only delicious, it’s almost too beautiful to eat.

9 Luna Mexican Kitchen, San Jose

Ever since it opened in June, this hot Mexican eatery has had lines stretching down the Alameda for chef Julio Juarez’s creative, fresh Latin fare. You’ll feel as if you’re dining at your abuela’s table, and indeed, Juarez learned to cook with his grandmother and aunts. He translates those memories into tasty, beautifully plated dishes, made with organic ingredients.

The patio: Mariachi music sets the scene on the shaded side patio. Enjoy fresh, tangy Guacamole ($9.50) with the best ever, crunchy housemade chicharrones, as you sip a refreshing tequila-grapefruit Paloma ($13). There’s a “para llevar” window for takeout, with a counter and a few stools, too.

The dish: Perfect summertime noshes include a lime and smoky chile-spiked Elote ($7) and Fruta con Chile ($8), with cool jicama, cucumber and mango to counter the heat of the chiles. The signature parrilladas bring a mini grill to your table with your choice of steak fajita, adobo chicken or carnitas ($16 to $39).

Details: Reservations accepted for parties of eight or more. Open Tuesday-Sunday. 1495 The Alameda, San Jose; www.lunamexicankitchen.com

10 Posada Contemporary Southwestern, Livermore

Ever since Eduardo and Blanca Posada opened their namesake eatery, reservations have been hard to come by. So when they expanded the restaurant, they doubled in size. But demand for Posada’s creative take on Southwestern cuisine continues to grow, and a seat at the table is still a coveted reservation.

The patio: You can dine inside in the lively dining room, but if you’re looking for a quieter, more laid-back experience, book a table on the front sidewalk. Service is just as attentive and it’s easier to carry on a conversation away from the din.

The dish: Dive into the citrus-marinated Market Fresh Salmon Ceviche ($19). The buttery, honey-tinged salmon is served with avocado, a crunchy slaw and a bright, salty caper-citrus relish. Then tuck into the Duo of Mahi-Mahi Tacos and Watermelon Salad ($17), with peppery, pan-fried fish, chipotle mayonnaise and a smoky pepper sauce. The crisp watermelon salad cools things off.

11 Rootstock Wine Bar, Cupertino

Barbie Koch and Alison Koch converse at an outdoor table at Cupertino’s Rootstock Wine Bar. JosieLepe/Bay Area News Group

When vineyards are planted, grapevine cuttings are grafted onto a stump called rootstock, which has an established root system and is key to growing healthy vines. Cupertino’s newest wine bar — an offshoot of the original Los Gatos location — has put down roots of its own in the expansive Main Street complex, in a big, bright, industrial-chic space.

The patio: Rootstock offers two sunny alfresco seating areas. Hang out under the party lights at the long communal table or opt for a cozier spot on one of the bright green sofas. Linger into the evening; heaters help chase off the chilly night air.

The dish: With wines available by the glass or flight, you can go rosé all day, sample local wines or create your own sampler. Pair that wine or craft beer with flaky mushroom or chorizo empanadas from San Mateo’s Cocina Milonga, or create your own Bruschetta Board ($10 for three, $15 for six) with options such as creamy avocado and sweet balsamic, beet and burrata, and bacon and pimento cheese. Don’t miss the Pork Belly Cups ($10), butter leaf lettuce filled with tender pork belly slices and spicy aioli.

12 Tri Valley Bistro, Pleasanton

This cozy neighborhood bistro is run by the Akdeniz family, who hail from Istanbul, but the menu offers a wide range of Mediterranean fare with some tasty culinary twists. The dining room is warm and sophisticated, all dark browns punctuated with bright turquoise hits. But on a warm day …

The patio: Grab a seat at one of the sidewalk tables, tucked under the black-and-white-striped awning with views of tree-lined Main Street. A couple of heaters keep things warm when the weather turns chilly.

The dish: Start summery with smoky Grilled Asparagus and Housemade Burrata ($12), served with green-olive salsa and Meyer lemon-dressed arugula. Proscuitto-Wrapped Prawns ($16) are drizzled with a balsamic reduction and nestled atop a creamy coconut-apple sauce, which provides a little tropical punch.

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Jackie Burrell is the editor and senior writer for the Mercury News and East Bay Times' Eat Drink Play section, which explores the West Coast's food, wine, cocktail and travel scene each week. An award-winning writer, Burrell joined the Bay Area News Group staff in 2000.

Mary Orlin is the wine and food writer for the Bay Area News Group and a James Beard Award and Emmy award-winning journalist, Certified Sommelier and WSET Advanced certified wine professional and frequent wine judge. Prior to joining the newspaper group in 2014, Mary contributed to local and national wine publications, and produced the wine TV show "In Wine Country" on NBC for nine seasons. Mary's journalism career began at CNN in Atlanta. She enjoys cooking and traveling throughout the world's great wine regions.

Jessica Yadegaran is a writer and editor for the Bay Area News Group's Eat Drink Play section, which is devoted to all things food, wine, cocktails, and travel. She also spent two years in the Pacific Northwest as the food and dining editor for Seattle magazine. Yadegaran has a degree in journalism from San Diego State University and has been with the Bay Area News Group for more than 10 years.

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